Things you didn't know about... Hanwell

Some ancient roots
Hanwell is often seen as simply a small suburb of Ealing but it has had its own brushes with fame over the centuries—and even got a mention in the Domesday Book. The name Hanwell comes from the old English words "hane", meaning cockerel, and "weille", meaning stream.

A grave concern
The Westminster Cemetery in Hanwell was sold to land developers for just 15p in 1987. The sale (along with other properties) caused considerable controversy.

Fame via a legend
The Wharncliffe Viaduct, which runs across the Brent Valley in Hanwell, was legendary engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel's first construction on the Great Western Railway (GWR). It was built between 1836 and 1837. Lord Wharncliffe was the Chairman of the GWR. Visitors to Hanwell can still see his coat of arms on the viaduct.

Celtic connection
The River Brent, which runs through Hanwell, is named after the Celtic goddess Brigant.

Chiming with the king
Apart from the viaduct, Hanwell's other famous landmark is its Art Deco clock on the Broadway. It was constructed in 1937 to mark the coronation of King George VI.

Write, said Fred
Harry Secombe's brother Fred was Rector of St Mary's Parish Church in Hanwell. Fred wrote several books about his life in the church.

Trains, boats and automobiles
The Grand Union Canal runs through Hanwell. It has two features that hold great interest for canal lovers: Hanwell Locks and the Three Bridges, an intersection of road, canal and rail, also built by the great Brunel. A windmill that features in a painting by Turner once stood nearby.

Hanwell's Purple patch
Rock band Deep Purple used to rehearse at Hanwell Community Centre and some of the promo photos for the 1970 album Deep Purple In Rock were taken here. The Who have also practised in these rooms and the facilities were used during the filming of Billy Elliot.

Charlie Chaplin went to school in Hanwell
The Central London District School (also known as the Cuckoo School) was founded in Hanwell in 1856 for poor children from central London, and occupied the same buildings that later became the Hanwell Community Centre. Charlie Chaplin attended the school between 1896 and 1898.